PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today thanked those who helped with the funeral of his wife, Dr Hasmah Ali, in his first public statement since her death three weeks ago.
Mahathir said he was touched that people continued to pray for Hasmah, whether at her graveside or from elsewhere.
"It reminds me, amid such painful grief, to keep being grateful to Allah for having lent me Hasmah for so long.
"I ask forgiveness if there were greetings I did not return, waves I did not wave back to, and condolences I have not yet replied," he said, adding that he tried to return to work but had yet to regain his full strength.
Hasmah, 100, died at the National Heart Institute on Sept 28. She was laid to rest at the National Mausoleum in Putrajaya following a state funeral.
Mahathir, who is just a year older than his wife, was present throughout the funeral rites. The couple had been married for 70 years.